BACOLOD City – Philippine Azkals naturalized player Bienvenido Marañon is giving back to the Negrenses with the launching of Negros Academia de Futbol (Negros Football Academy) here.
Marañon, a former mainstay of many-time Philippines Football League champions Ceres-Negros Football Club, said his academy aims to train and develop Negrense football enthusiasts aged 4 to 16.
“Our program will be more on the football players’ improvement on different aspects such as physical, tactical and technical aspects to make them better,” Marañon said during a press conference held at the Nature’s Village Resort in Talisay City, Negros Occidental.
The Spanish-turned-naturalized Filipino booter said he established the academy as a way of giving back to the Negrenses and Bacolodnons who supported him during his time with Ceres-Negros.
“When I came to the Philippines, I came with nothing. But after so many years that I was here, I had everything. I owed something to Bacolodnons and Negrenses,” said Marañon, the all-time top scorer in the AFC Cup.
“When I played with Ceres FC and when we competed in several countries such as Australia, Thailand, China, and back in Bacolod City, I felt the love and support of the people of Bacolod and Negros Occidental,” he added.
Marañon further said that, for the academy’s students to improve their football skills, they will be holding tournaments from time to time and is planning to invite a football team from Spain.
“Our plan here in the academy is to bring a team to Spain every year to expose them to playing in international fields. This opportunity can lead them to compete in Spain and Europe,” Marañon said.
“Our private facilities will make it more special, we have full control of the training center because we care for the safety of the players, coaches and the people inside,” the striker said.
The registration is ongoing at the Bacolod Central District grounds at Barangay Mandalagan, Bacolod City. The month of November is to be allocated for registration, tryouts, and friendly games while the training will start on Jan. 10, 2023./PN
